CHAPTER 748: CHAPTER 748: BASKING IN THE JOY OF AN UNEXPECTED WINDFALL

All the masters shook their heads and chuckled bitterly, knowing that they wouldn’t be able to learn.

After going around in circles, while many were itching to ask that question, everyone was aware that each master had their own secret techniques, which made it inappropriate to inquire.

After a good while, Master Wang placed the raw stone on the countertop, sharing the same question as everyone else.

Holding back, he bowed towards Su Ran and the other two, apologizing for his earlier rudeness, "I have given offense earlier; please forgive me."

Su Ran smiled and replied that it was no trouble, the master was too courteous.

Lian Wanzhen was extremely happy, saying bluntly that people always make mistakes in judgment, but his mother would never make a wrong one.

Lin Yuejuan did not respond; she was out of her element.

Master Wang let out a bitter laugh, as earlier, he had reprimanded someone, not realizing that an expert was right there. Karma had slapped him in the face immediately, but that was not important. The most crucial thing was...

He hesitated for a moment but eventually asked on behalf of everyone, "Madam, if I may be so bold to ask, this piece of raw stone is obviously a waste stone. I have seen no less than eight hundred such stones and have never misjudged them. How can such a waste stone produce such high-grade jade?" He was at a loss.

Someone immediately interjected eagerly, confirming, "Old Wang is right; we’ve seen many and have never seen such material produce any good quality jade."

The master craftsmen of Zhenbao Square unanimously fixed their burning gazes on Su Ran.

Su Ran smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, "Gentlemen, you are correct. This piece of raw stone, regardless of its shape, color, or the texture of its crust, is almost identical to the stones usually found at the edge of a jade bed, but it is thicker, with extremely faint water ripple patterns that could be easily missed if one is not careful. Have any of you heard the saying, ’Green water brings forth green jade’? ..."

Su Ran began to explain slowly, and the craftsmen of Zhenbao Square nodded in acknowledgment.

Lian Wanzhen, unable to understand and uninterested, became an outsider to the situation.

Another outsider was Lin Yuejuan; she remained disconnected, alternating between wild joy and foolish grins, constantly muttering a few words to herself, "We’ve struck rich!"

Besides them, there was one more person getting rich.

In the harem, after a great game of toss-pot, Lian Hua was spirited from joy and delightfully looked at the table laden with golden melon seeds, bracelets, gold hairpins, silver hairpins, and all sorts of beaded hair ornaments. She had won so much in toss-pot that she simply had someone bring over another table because there wasn’t enough space, and had writing materials brought over as well.

At that moment, she distributed the golden melon seeds before a group of clean-dressed concubines, igniting envy in their eyes.

Even Changzai Zhou felt a pang of regret, as wealthy as she was, even the greatest wealth couldn’t withstand such wastefulness. She had indeed invested heavily this time. She chuckled bitterly, admitting defeat to a better player.

The faces of the other concubines turned extremely unsightly, the jewelry that was originally theirs, and they regretted their decision, wondering why they had challenged Beauty Lian in toss-pot. They had lost everything, their honor, their face, and their possessions, filled with deep regret and anguish...

In the crowd, only Beauty Zhao’s expression differed from the others. Although she too was heartbroken and regretful, her gaze towards the pile of jewelry was strangely peculiar.

Lian Hua shook the bag of golden melon seeds and chuckled; it felt satisfyingly heavy.

She reached into the bag, grabbed a handful without counting, and said, "Sister Fang, this is for you." With these words, Noble Consort Fang transformed from a formal ’Consort’ to a more familiar ’Sister Fang,’ in Lian Hua’s mouth, significantly closer in their relationship after the bout of arrow-pot.

Concubine Fang clutched her handkerchief and covered her mouth with a light and shallow smile, "Thank you, Sister Lian. I won’t stand on ceremony then." She gestured to Jin Xi to take it. Normally, she found these trinkets to be the height of vulgarity, but today they seemed particularly pleasing to her eye, probably because of the sheer delight of winning alongside Lian Hua.

"No need, no need, we have so much of it," Lian Hua said generously, waving her hand and giving the bag of golden melon seeds another shake, its ring cheerful and melodious as she laughed heartily, her teeth showing but her eyes unseen.

She grabbed another handful and tucked it into her sleeve. Xiao Qing, worried it was too heavy for her, offered to hold it, but Lian Hua refused. What harm was there in touching it herself now and then?

After dividing her share, she rewarded Xiao Jizi, Xiao Qing, Xiao Linzi, Jin Xi, and Kong Yinyin’s palace maid each with several golden melon seeds. Even the young eunuch who participated in the arrow-pot was given one, creating an atmosphere brimming with joy. Her lavish generosity turned the other concubines’ eyes red with envy.

On one side was the triumph of unexpected wealth, while on the other, the piercing chill of grievance amongst sisters.

Outside the Qianqiu Hall, close to the time for the grand banquet to commence, nearly all the concubines had arrived in the harem except for the three of highest rank who were not present: Noble Consort Xue, injured; Consort Xu De, busy; and Consort Liu, who was ill. They all gathered together around the arrow-pot, inevitably drawn by its liveliness.

The situation that created this scene has a long backstory, born from everyone’s ulterior motives and Lian Hua’s opportunistic actions.

Most of the concubines had arrived early and witnessed the scene of Cui Laner, by the Emperor’s decree, being demoted to a commoner. Seeing the Emperor’s clear stance, some of them harbored thoughts of ingratiating themselves. With Consort De being present, they dared not come closer, but after she left, they each hesitated.

Concubine Fang arrived late; just before leaving, she had seen the portrait painted for Lian Hua and sighed for a long time, lamenting about how everything changes and nostalgia for a trusted friend who had been struck by misfortune. Unaware of the exact circumstances, she was heartbroken, which delayed her departure.

This delay meant she missed much, but upon nearing the Qianqiu Hall and spotting hesitant figures and hushed conversations that mentioned Lian Hua’s name, she hastily inquired and learned that Lian Hua was there at the arrow-pot. Disregarding her delicate constitution, she rushed over, leading to the moment Lian Hua had seen her.

The two caught up, and when Concubine Fang asked about earlier events, Lian Hua, cautious of the many onlookers, suggested inquiring with Beauty Zhao and Changzai Zhou. As it happened, those two had no reason to be together and shared the story once they heard the request. The tale filled Concubine Fang with sorrow, as she held back a flood of tears, leaving Lian Hua feeling very guilty.

What followed was the incident Beauty Zhao most regretted. To liven up the mood and advance her plan, she suggested making bets on arrow-pot for a bit of fun and excitement.

Before making the proposal, she had specially inquired with Lian Hua to gauge her arrow-pot skills, giving herself a mental advantage.

Reflecting on Lian Hua’s response, even someone as calm as she could not help but clench her teeth and feel a throbbing headache afterward. How could she have known that a first-timer at arrow-pot would turn out to be an expert, a "wolf in sheep’s clothing," making her bold claim of granting others a handicap simply ridiculous.

This is how it happened:

Noticing the somewhat subdued atmosphere, Beauty Zhao pondered for a moment before parting her rosy lips to ask, "Sister Lian, how many rounds have you played and how much have you won?"